Pakistan's foreign minister tests positive for COVID-19

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI, Pakistan

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

'This afternoon I felt a slight fever and immediately quarantined myself at home. I have now tested positive for Covid 19. By the grace of Allah, I feel strong and energetic," Qureshi said on Twitter.

He said he will continue to carry his duties from his home and requested the public to keep remember in their prayers.

Previously, the country's two former prime ministers, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, several cabinet members, lawmakers, and politicians have tested positive for the novel virus. Most of them have recovered.

With 4,087 new cases over the past 24 hours, the country's coronavirus tally has reached 221,896.

Slightly over 50% of the patients have recovered so far, according to the Health Ministry.

Some 4,551 have lost their lives due to the virus.